There is something wrong with this fellow Todd Barr, a freshman defensive lineman for Cal. He's far too polite to be a defensive lineman.

After answering a series of questions thoughtfully, he signed off with a "Yes, sir," on each one and waited for the next query. Defensive linemen don't say, "Yes, sir," do they?

This one does. Although in temperament he seems more like an offensive lineman, it was obvious from his play in the Nevada game that the coaches have young Barr on the right side of the line of scrimmage.

Playing as a backup defensive end in his first college game, Barr was credited with three assisted tackles, all for losses, and one sack on the postgame stats. Those numbers were later amended to 1 1/2 tackles for losses and a half-sack after Cal officials reviewed game tape.

Either way, it was an impressive debut for the 19-year-old and earned him more playing time, starting Saturday against Southern Utah as the Bears try for the second time to get their first win in rebuilt Memorial Stadium.

"It makes me feel good, in whatever way I can help my team," said Barr, a four-star recruit from Lakewood (Los Angeles County) who redshirted in 2011. "I've always had that attitude - be useful to my team in any way necessary. It's exciting to know the coaches can depend on me. I strive to be accountable in all aspects of life, especially to my team."

There it is again, Barr sounding more like a self-effacing offensive lineman than a hell-bent-for-sacks defensive lineman. And Barr knows sacks, too. As a senior at Lakewood High in 2010, he racked up 20 sacks.

"Todd really played well through spring and fall camp," head coach Jeff Tedford said. "He has a knack for making himself skinny and getting through holes. ... He got in the backfield, got some tackles in the backfield."

Barr has modest size for a college defensive lineman, 6-foot-3 and 275 pounds, but above-average quickness off the ball. That's how he was able to shed blocks and make tackles for losses in the Nevada game.

"He's a very smart kid," defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast said. "We're real excited about the things he brings to the defense. He's a little undersized guy. He creates matchup problems with his quickness."

Barr said his goals at Cal are to be part of a Pac-12 championship team and to break the single-season and career school records for sacks, those being 14 1/2 by Ryan Riddle in 2004 and 31 by Andre Carter from 1997 through 2000.

"I want to have a big impact on the team, help take us to a Pac-12 championship," Barr said. "If everyone can count on the person next to them, that's when you have a winning team."

Briefly: Right tackle Matt Summers-Gavin will not play Saturday because of a sprained MCL. His place in the starting lineup will be filled by junior Bill Tyndall. ... Linebacker Khairi Fortt, the Penn State transfer, is getting closer to being able to play after having a knee procedure in the spring.